Superman And Lois: Spoiler-Free Review – Best Arrowverse Pilot Yet!
I’m going to be completely honest here and say that this is the show I’ve been waiting years for. Before Supergirl was even part of the Arrowverse I was waiting to see Superman return to the small screen. Because of all the rumors about how DC won’t let them use big characters on the small screen, I thought I was doomed. Supergirl gave me hope but the first season’s finale shattered me. The way they got out of showing Superman on screen made it clear that they had no interest in doing so. Until Tyler Hoechlin showed up in the second season of Supergirl. He flew into the show and was basically the perfect Superman. He was hopeful and charismatic and so, so, so fun. I honestly liked him more than Henry Cavill at the time and it made me happier than you know. He got more involved in the crossovers as the years went on until finally Superman And Lois was announced.
If it sounds like I’m gushing it’s because I am. In case you can’t tell, I love Superman. This is a character that means a great deal to me and despite all my excitement, I was still wary. Cautiously optimistic, you could say. Well, I’ve gotten to see the pilot episode (thank you, CW!) and I’m pleased to report that the show, in my opinion, is pretty freaking great. This is a show that has a very different take on Superman but, most importantly, really captures what this character is about. This is a Superman who takes his job very seriously, he knows he has a responsibility to the world and unfortunately this gets in the way of his familial obligations.
There’s going to be a lot of superheroics in the show but this show focuses primarily on Superman’s family stuff. See, Lois and Clark have two children; a pair of twin boys. The problem is that daddy Superman isn’t around much because of his secret job as a superhero. The boys don’t know why either and as they mature and the possibility of them developing powers arises it becomes more and more of a problem. The pilot episode does a great job of setting everything up while also introducing us to the rest of the characters.
See, this show revolves mostly around Clarke and Lois’ family life. That’s not to say Superman is missing a-la Smallville, it’s just that Clarke’s family is a big part of this show. It’s obvious that’s Clarke’s been kind of neglecting his duties as a father but who can blame him? He’s Superman, there are things he has to do, y’know? After some stuff happens in the premiere Clarke and Lois make the decision to move back to Smallville to try and focus on their family. On top of all this, they have to deal with the possibility of their kids inheriting Clarke’s powers. This brings us to the twins.
These kids are complete opposites. One is a football-playing jock and the other an anxious nerd who plays video games. Both boys are fine, but with nothing to compare them to we’ll have to wait and see what it’s like having a live-action Superman with kids. All the actors are great. We’ve already discussed Hoechlin’s charisma as Superman but Tulloch is equally great. You can totally buy her as famous reporter Lois Lane. Watching all the supporting characters and their relationship to the main cast is interesting too since obviously Superman fans will have expectations. Thankfully, this show always seems to have a surprise up its sleeve.
This brings us to another concern I know people have had. The production values. It’s nothing but good news on that front, my friends. There were times that I was shocked this was a CW show. One particular moment – in slow motion, none-the-less – was visually stunning. The days of Smallville’s whooshing are long gone and we’re presented with a serious, well-made Superman show that can stand on its own. It’ll never be able to compete with the likes of the DC films but you can’t blame it for that. It’ll never have the budget of a film. The flying looks good, the powers are portrayed properly. It looks better than Supergirl, honestly.
The show is fun, guys, honest. I know there’s a stigma surrounding the Arrowverse but if you give it a chance I doubt you’ll be disappointed. I know there are plenty of others out there who love Superman and if you do I promise this is the show you’ve been waiting for. It’s fun, well-made, and it has a ton of easter eggs for eagle-eyed Superman fans. I have to be careful, because there’s a lot I can’t talk about. I wouldn’t want to anyway because I’d hate to ruin this show for someone who’se been waiting for it as long as I have. I know I probably didn’t explain all this as well as I should have, but let’s just say that as a huge Superman fan I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time.
One episode in and Superman And Lois is flying up, up, and away to be the best Arrowverse show ever.
Also please have Kara show up from time to time after Supergirl ends.
Superman And Lois will premiere on February 23 with a 2-hour premiere event.
Alexander is passionate about everything related to gaming, comics, television, and film. You can usually find him watching some kind of DC show and can also find his writing on Multiversal News, something he’s helping to build.
